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Clare Lopeman's debut A/W 2010 collection is a fusion of graphic print and complex construction taking vintage patterns from ‘100 Dresses’ – a classic Soviet dressmaking book reflecting key shapes and silhouettes established in 50's French couture – and re-mastering and transforming them through a process of body conscious design and innovative construction. The results subsequently redefining the concept of contemporary vintage chic.
The look of the collection draws directly from her experiences living in Moscow combined with a British sense of style; the young and spirited ‘Moskvichka’, the dark, surreal and compelling aspects of daily life in the city, Christian Dior’s presence in Moscow in July 1959 and the subsequent photoshoot by Howard Sochurek for Life magazine, Soviet dressmaking patterns and the warm winter colour palette of a sun-drenched Moscow skyline.
The collection has been carefully crafted to ensure flattering lines throughout that define and celebrate the female figure in a feminine yet dynamic and contemporary aesthetic. Integral to achieving this look has been an intense process of both manual and digital pattern manipulation and transformation.
The latest digital printing technologies are combined with wool jersey, cotton satin and silk satins to produce graphic prints. The range begins with a classical palette of black and nude progressing through an icy yet warm palette of a Moscow winter sunset.
Clare’s commitment to quality and integrity in her design work ensures that her debut collection – a unique and sensitive fusion of both British and Russian culture – will mark the beginning of a dynamic new fashion label.
Graduating in 1999 from the prestigious BA (Hons) Womenswear programme at Central St Martins alongside the likes of Bora Aksu and Ricardo Tisci, Clare has spent the last 11 years working as a freelance Fashion & Textile designer for a number of international labels such as La Perla, BCBG, John Rocha, Armani and Calvin Klein.
Since graduating she has also invested significant efforts into Fashion education, developing and delivering a number of UK recognised Fashion design programmes in London including the authorship and delivery of bespoke training courses for industry names such as Paul Smith, The Taiwan Textile Research Institute and Disney at the London College of Fashion.
In September 2008 Clare moved to Moscow, Russia in order to establish and direct the BA (Hons) Fashion degree programme at The British Higher School of Art & Design. This course, which although only just in it's second year, is already gaining international recognition from industry; WGSN, Grazia, TopShop, Russian Vogue, and academia; University of the Arts and the Royal College of Art.
Clare has now established her studio in Moscow and is launching her A/W debut collection as part of the British Council's British Designers day at Russian Fashion Week, showing alongside Osman Yousefzada, PPQ and Eley Kishimoto.
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